MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

This species is restricted to the southeast of Madeira (between Funchal and Machico), found mainly in the area below the airport. It only remains in a very small proportion of the former habitat, and is considered to be threatened from future loss of habitat with planned developments of hotels and possible expansion of roads connecting to these developments and to the airport. It is considered Critically Endangered due to its restricted extent of occurrence (EOO; 4 km2 ), occurrence at a single location, known loss of subpopulations and the risk of continuing habitat loss. 

Geographic Range:

This species is restricted to the southeast of Madeira (between Funchal and Machico, Madeiran Archipelago, Portugal), found mainly in the area below the airport, where the runway has been extended. There has been a decline in the number of sites close to the airport, with most eastern sites lost in the last decade. Now this species is restricted to a very small area beside the airport. The original sites where Groh and Hemmen (1984) recorded the species further west at Funchal and Caniço have been lost in the last 2 decades, due increasing urbanization and enlargement of access roads to the Airport.

Population:

The species is rare and difficult to find, hence it is believed to have low density in suitable habitats. Loss of habitat in the last 20 years suggests that the population has declined. 

Habitat and Ecology

The species is found in rocky outcrops, small walls and other stony areas within shrubby vegetation typical of the south Madeiran coast. 

Major Threat(s):

This species is threatened by habitat loss following the extension of the airport runway, as well as subsequent access road improvements, road widening schemes and some degradation of habitats with loss of agriculture. In the past the area also suffered from uncontrolled dumping. A new threat to one of last sites within this location comes from possible redevelopment of the hotel complex beside the airport (Teixeira pers. comm. 2016). 

Conservation Actions

No information is available.